Southern California -- this just in

Security guard ordered to stand trial for shooting at Carlsbad elementary school

March 8, 2011 | 8:07
pm

Brendan O'Rourke, 41, an unemployed security guard, was ordered Tuesday to stand trial for a shooting at a Carlsbad elementary school that wounded two second-grade girls.

O'Rourke allegedly climbed the fence at Kelly Elementary School on Oct. 8 and began babbling incoherently as he fired a .357 magnum handgun. As he attempted to reload, he was tackled by construction workers who held him down until police arrived.

O'Rourke was found to have matches and a gas can, according to police.

He faces seven felony counts that could lead to a life sentence. He was ordered to stand trial by San Diego County Superior Court Judge K. Michael Kirkman after a preliminary hearing at which several students testified, including the two who were wounded.

O'Rourke remains in jail on $10-million bail. No motive has been alleged and no evidence has suggested a link between O'Rourke and the school.